Railway hand brake



Sept. 27, 1932. R. w. BURNETT RAILWAY HAND BRAKE Filed June 13, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m M m flW/ M if orn zys Sept. 27, 1932. R. w. BURNETT 1,879,974

RAILWAY HAND BRAKE Filed June 13. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES RICHARD W. BURNETT,

PATENT OFFICE OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS RAILWAY HAND BRAKE Application filed June 13,

This invention relates to manually Operated apparatus for setting and releasing the brakes of a railway ear, and particularly to brake apparatus of the type involving a chain or other flexible element which, is

\vound upon a drum or similar revoluble member for setting the brake shoes against the wheels 0f,the car. The hand brake apparatus of 'my invention is suitable for. use upon boxv cars, hopper cars, gondola cars,

flat cars andother types of railway cars.

The invention is concerned particularly with the mechanism for revolving the wind.-

ing drum to set the brakes,yforholding the r winding drum in the brake settingposition and forreleasing it to relieve the pressure of the brakeshoes on the car wheels; and the principal object is to provide a. simple strong and durable mechanism for setting and releasing the brakes which can be oper. atgd quickly, easily andi conveniently, for. example inswitching and making up trains, or cuttings car from thetrain, without-the I risk to life and limb of the 'brakeman, or injury. to the car and its cargo,;.-frequently incurred in the operation of hand brakes of the type commonly used heretofore in railway freight car service.

The invention is illustrated in certain preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary end elevation of a railway car provided with the hand brake apparatus 01' my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. l, the scale being enlarged.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the plane of Fig. 3 illustrating the position to which the pawl is moved during the brake setting movements of the winding drum and ratchet wheel, and P Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 showing the pawl moved to a position to be disenguged from the ratchet wheel.

Referring to the drawings, ll] designates the end wall of a railway box car. The hand brake mechanism comprises a rocking memher or belh'rnnk ll shown as pivotally sup- 1928. Serial No. 285,023.

ported at 12 on a bracket 13 secured to the underside of the end sill 14 of the car. The brake rigging by which is included the system of brake shoes, beams, connecting rods,

et cetera, arranged under the deck of the car, and ordinarily operated by air pressure, 15 connected by suitable means (not shown), for example by a chain, with the rocking member 11, for operation of the brakes by the hand braking a paratus.

Pivotally secured at '15 to tie outer end of the rocking member. 11.is a rod 16 having a forked lower end 17 and rovided. at its upper end with aclevis 18 or a. chain, or other flexible element-- 19, which is at tached at 20 to a winding drum 21 carried on a shaft 22revolublyniounted in bearings in the front and rear 'vvalls '23, 240i 9. housing 25 secured to the-end wall 10 of the car; By the term chain? as used in the specification and claims hereof, I intend to cover any suitable. flexible element, such, for example, as a rope or cable; and by the terms drum or winding drum Iintend any revoluble member on which the chain is wound for'taking up slack in the brake rig ing and bringing the brake shoes with bra ing pressure against the wheels of the car. Preferably the drum 21 is provided with a windin surface of sufiicient length so that the bra es ma be set with less than a single revolution 0 the drum, the center line of the winding surface bein in a. single plane. The present lIIVQHlSiOl'hfilOWGVQI', is not limited to any particular type of winding drum.

Fixed to shaft 22 is a large gear wheel 26 which meshes with a small gear 27 on a shaft 28 revolubly mounted in hearings on the front and rear walls of housing 25, shaft 27 havin an extension 29 through the front wall 23 0% the housing to which extension is secured a hand wheel 30, preferably of relatively large diameter. Fixed to shaft 28, within the lions ing, is a ratchet wheel 31, the teeth of which are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 32, this pawl being mounted on an eccentric portion 33 of n she ft 34 revolubly supported in bear ings on the walls of the housing and [)IOjtCting through the front wall 23 thereof. To

the projecting end of shaft 34 is secured a lever 35 for effecting the release of the brakes, in the ditlerent ways to be described, through disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet.

Guiding means is provided for effecting the disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet by rotation of shaft 34 by means of the hand lever 35. The guiding means preferably consists of a slot 36 formed in the pawl and a pin 37 having a fixed position in the casing, which pin extends through slot 36, the pin being of a diameter smaller than the width of the slot. A coiled sprin 38 secured at one end to :1 lug 39 on the paw and at the other end to a bracket 40 on the wall of the housing tends to keep the tooth 41 of the pawl in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 31. The pawl is also preferably formed with a tail-piece 42 which comes into contact with the teeth of the ratchet when the pawl is shifted to its position of release, stopping the lever when moved to this position. A stop pin 46 is arranged to limit the movement of the lever in the other direction.

Fig. 3 illustrates the positions of the parts of the apparatus after the brakes have been set. Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the pawl rides over the teeth of the ratchet during the setting of the brakes. The pawl oscillates on the eccentric 33 sufficiently so that its tooth 41 will clear the teeth of the ratchet. This is possible because of the width of slot 36 in proportion to the diameter of the guide pin 37.

Fig. 5 illustrates the positions of the pawl and operatin lever on movement of the lever to the releasing position, that is when the lever is swung from its right hand osition (Fig. 3) to the left-hand position ig. 5). This movement of the lever gives the eccentric 33 an angular change of position of approximately 180. Engagement of the upper surface 43 of slot 36 with the pin 37 compels the pawl to shift, as eccentric 33 is rotated, with a cam action which raises the tooth 41 on the pawl from the ratchet wheel and brings the tail-piece 42 of the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet. Said tail portion 42, by reason of the weight of the lever :55. bears frictionally against the ratchet wheel. Obviously this frictional engagement can be increased by exerting downward pressure on the lever and thereby retarding reverse movement of the ratchet wheel. When the lever 35 is moved back from left to right. spring 158 insures the reeugagemcnt of the awl with the ratchet.

(lpm'ufi'onf-ln setting and releasing the brakw the brakeman stands upon the platform 44 on the end of the car (Fig. 1) and holding on to one of the rungs 45 of the end ladder with his left hand (or to some other suitable handhold) and gives the hand heel 2W :1 spin or twirl in the clockwise direction with his right hand. A single spin of the wheel will ordinarily be sufficient to take up all of the slack in the brake rigging and the lost motion in the hand brake apparatus and set the brake shoes against the wheels of the car with some braking pressure. To completely set the brake it is necessary for the bralteman to take another hold on the hand wheel with his ri ht hand, grasping either the rim or one o? the spokes as most convement, and give the wheel further movement of rotation in the clockwise direction. These movements of the hand wheel wind the chain 19 on the drum 21, as shown in Fig. 3, the pawl 32 oscillating on the center a of the eccentric 33 so as-to ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel as the latter revolves, as shown in Fig. 4.

To obtain an'instantaneous release of the brakes the brakeman, still maintainin his hold on the ladder rung or other handhold with his lefthand, grasps the lever 25 with his right and swings the lever from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 5. This shifts the center a of the eccentric backwardly away from the ratchet, that is to the other side of the axis of shaft 34 which is indicated in the drawings, at b. The tooth 41 of the pawl is forced out of engagement with the ratchet wheel through the camming action taking place between the slotted portion of the pawl and the fixed pin 37. The release of the brakes may be complete or, if desired, the lever may be given quick movement first to the left and then to the right so as to bring about a partial release of the brake followed by a re-engagement of the pawl with the ratchet wheel. For drifting the car, for example. the lever 35 may be turned to the left to a position a trifle beyond the vertical, which will be insufiicient to disengage tooth 41 from the ratchet wheel 31. The brakeman then grasps the hand wheel 30 and gives the wheel a slight turn clockwise, that is in the brake setting direction. to relieve the pressure between the ratchet and pawl. The lever now falls to the osition illustrated in Fig. 5 by its weight. t e lever being heavy enough to overcome the pull of spring 38, leaving the release of the brake under the control of the bralteman through manipulation of the hand wheel, or for drifting. the brukeman may manipulate the wheel with one hand and shift the lever with the other.

'hile l have described my invention in a preferred embodiment. the possibility of modification is recognized and I desire to cover by patent all modifications and variation within the scope of the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. ln mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway car in wt po ition and f r rel a ing them. the combination of a ratchet. a pawl, an cccent ric upon which the pawl is r lubl) supported. means for rotating the ec entric,

and guiding means cooperating with the cccentric to effect the engagement of the pawl with, and its di engagement from, the ratchet at different angular positions of the eccentric.

2. In mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway ear in set position and for releasin them, the combination of a ratchet, a paw an eccentric upon which the pawl is revoliibly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means which effects the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet at different angular positions of the eccentric. while permitting the pawl to ride over the teeth of the ratchet when the latter is given a brake-setting movement.

3. In mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway car in set position and for releasing them, the combination of a ratchet, a pawl, an eccentric upon which the pawl is revolubly supported. a lever for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means cooperating with the eccentric to effect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet at different angular positions of the eccentric.

4. In mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway car in set position and for releasing them, the combination of a ratchet, a pawl, means which tends to keep the pawl in engagement with the ratchet, an eccentric upon which the pawl is rcvolubly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means cooperating with the eccentric effect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disenga ement from, the ratchet at different anguIar positions of the eccentric,

5. In mechanism for holding'th' brakes of a railway can-in set position and for releasingthem, the qorpbin ationmf a ratchet, a pawl, a spring which tepdS'(\),l\:ep. th8 pawl m engagementwith the rate ct, an eccentric upon w ich the pawl is revolubly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means cooperating with the eccentric to effect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet wheel at differ ent angular positions of the eccentric.

6. In mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway car in set position and for releasing them, the combination of a ratchet. a pawl, an eccentric upon which the pawl is revohibly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means which effects the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from. the ratchet at different angular positions of the eccentric, comprising a slot in the pawl and a tationary pin extending into said slot.

T. ln lllt'lllillll lll for litillllllfl the brake of a railway car in et poi-tion and for l'i'lt'2|-lllj them. [he coiiil inziiion of a lull hell .I pawl, an eccentric upon \\l|ll'll the paul I\ l'lWH lZ t l supported. inininfor pirating lie o w gagement of the pawl, with and its disengagement from, the ratchet at diflerent angular positions of the eccentric while permitting the pawl to ride over the teeth of the ratchet when the latter is given a brake setting movement, comprising a slot in the pawl and a stationary pin extending into said slot of smaller diameter than the width of the slot.

8. In mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway car in set position and for relea ing them, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl to engage the ratchet wheel having a tail-piece which bears against the ratchet wheel in the dsengaged position of the pawl, an eccentric upon which the pawl is revoluhly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means which effects the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet at different angular positions of the eccentric.

9. In hand brakes for railway cars, the combination with hand power mechanism operable in one direction to set the brakes, of means for retarding reverse movement of said power mechanism comprising a member pivoted to bear frictional] a ainst a moving part of said mechanism d uring said reverse movement thereof, an eccentric on which said pivoted member is supported, and means for changing the position of said eccentric to vary the frictional engagement of said pivoted member with said moving part.

10. In a hand brake for railway cars, the combination with hand power mechanism operable in one direction to set the brakes, of means for holding the brakes in set position, means for retarding reverse movement of said mechanism comprisin a member adapted to be pressed frictiona lly against a moving part of said mechanism and means for releasing said l oldingmeans and varying the frictional engagement of the retarding means comprising-an eccentric, a lever for changing the position of said eccentric whereby in one position the holding member is disengaged from said power mechanism and the retarding member is pressed frictionally against said moving parts.

11. In mechanism for holding the brakes of a railway car in set position and for releasing them, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl, a rotatable shaft, means on said shaft for supporting the pawl eccentric to the axis of rotation of said shaft, a hand lever on said shaft for moving the pawl sup porting means to ditlerent angular position and guiding means which etl'ect engagement of the pawl with, and its di eiigzigcnient from, the rati het at ilitlcrent angular po i holding the brakes in set position and for releasing then'n comprising a ratchet wheel on said power shaft, a pawl positioned to engage the upper portion of said ratchet wheel, an eccentric upon which the pawl is remlnhly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means which etl'ect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet at ditl'erent angular positions of the eccentric while permitting the pawl to ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the hand power mechanism is given a brake-setting movement.

13. In a hand brake for railway cars, the combination with hand power mechanism including a horizontally disposed power shaft and a hand wheel on said shaft operable in one direction to set the brakes, of means for holding the hand power mechanism in and releasing it from its brake setting position comprising a ratchet wheel on said power shaft, a pawl positioned to engage the top portion of said ratchet wheel. a trip shaft, pawl supporting means on said trip shaft for supporting the pawl on an axis eccentric to the axis of said trip shaft, a hand lever on said trip shaft, and operable in a plane between the hand wheel and said'ratchet wheel, and guiding means which ellect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet wheel at different angular positions of said pawl supporting means.

RICHARD W. BURNETT.

DISCLAIMER Chicago,

Disclaimer te of Richard W. Burnett. l i laims 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and in said specification.

Ill

RAILWAY HAND BRAKE. Patent filed April 12,

1943, by Marie C.

holding the brakes in set position and for releasing then'n comprising a ratchet wheel on said power shaft, a pawl positioned to engage the upper portion of said ratchet wheel, an eccentric upon which the pawl is remlnhly supported, means for rotating the eccentric, and guiding means which etl'ect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet at ditl'erent angular positions of the eccentric while permitting the pawl to ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the hand power mechanism is given a brake-setting movement.

13. In a hand brake for railway cars, the combination with hand power mechanism including a horizontally disposed power shaft and a hand wheel on said shaft operable in one direction to set the brakes, of means for holding the hand power mechanism in and releasing it from its brake setting position comprising a ratchet wheel on said power shaft, a pawl positioned to engage the top portion of said ratchet wheel. a trip shaft, pawl supporting means on said trip shaft for supporting the pawl on an axis eccentric to the axis of said trip shaft, a hand lever on said trip shaft, and operable in a plane between the hand wheel and said'ratchet wheel, and guiding means which ellect the engagement of the pawl with, and its disengagement from, the ratchet wheel at different angular positions of said pawl supporting means.

RICHARD W. BURNETT.

DISCLAIMER Chicago,

Disclaimer te of Richard W. Burnett. l i laims 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and in said specification.

Ill

RAILWAY HAND BRAKE. Patent filed April 12,

1943, by Marie C. 

